Electric terminal block structure



3 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 25, 1961 G. USTIN ELECTRIC TERMINAL BLOCK STRUCTURE Filed Feb. 24. 1958 INVENTOR FIG.3

I I l FIG. 2

llixlll GEORGE USTIN ATTORNEY Apnl 25, 1961 G. USTIN 2,931,923

' ELECTRIC TERMINAL BLOCK STRUCTURE Filed Feb. 24. 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG.5 56

VII IIIIIIIIII III] I llp'I/II III/II III/II/I/IIIIIIIII/III/ INVENTOR GZO2GE USTIN ATTORNEY April 1961 G. USTIN 2,981,923

ELECTRIC TERMINAL BLOCK STRUCTURE Filed Feb. 24, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG.8

INVENTOR ATTORNEY ELECTRIC TERMINAL BLOCK STRUCTURE George Ustin, Verona, NJ., assiguor to Buchanan Electrical Products Corporation, Hillside, N.'J., a corporation of New Jersey Filed Feb. 24, 1958, Ser. No. 717,065

6 Claims. (Cl. 339198) ends having complementary configurations, a first end section having an end having the first configuration and a second end section having an end having the sec- 0nd configuration. In this known assembly the sections are held together by self-sustaining press fit of the complementary configurations, the end sectionsare apertured to accommodate screws for mounting the assembly to a panel or the like, and the tops of the end sections have slots which face each other when the sections are assembled, the slots being adapted'to receive the ends of a terminal marking strip.

A terminal block assembly embodying the present in:- vention comprises only two types of sections'instead of three, there being only an end section and at least one body section. "Each section is apertured to accommodate a mounting screw, and additionalbody sections which are interchangeable with the body section can be added to an existing terminal block assemblyembodying the invention without removing any mounting screw or disassembling any existing sections.

Improved means is also provided for mountinga termiv nal marking strip along the top ofthe terminal block assembly.

Important objects of the invention are to provide terminal block structure having the above advantages.

The above and further objects and-advantages will appear from the'following descriptionofan example of the invention and the accompanying drawings thereof which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a terminalblock assembly Fig. 4 is a plan View substantially of'whatris shown .in Fig. 3;

a "Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view .on line'5-5 of-Fig. 1- and-also showing apanel to which-the terminal block assembly is mounted;

"Fig.6 is a ,view on; line ,66 of Fig; 3; Fig. 7 is "a viewon line *7-.-7 of Fig. '3;

'-Fig.- '8 is awview on line 8f8 of-Fig.- 3, andshowing V V The drawings show a terminal block assembly 12 r 2,981,923 Patented Apr. 25, 19 61 having first and second ,ends 14 and 16, respectively, and

comprising an end section 18 of insulating material providing end 14 and a plurality (seven as shown) of interchangeable and as shown identical additional sections 20 of insulating material, one of which, namely, the one most remote from section 18, providing end 16. I If desired, terminal block assembly 12 could include only one section 20, in addition to section 18.

,Section 18 has a first end 22 facing away from end 16 and a second end 24 facing away from end 14. End

22 of section 18 has an aperture 26, as best shown in" Figs. 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6', for receiving a fastening device such as a screw 28 for securing section 18 to other structure, such as a panel 30 (Fig. 5).

End 24 of section 18 has a plane surface 32 facing away from end 14.

Each section 20 has a first end 34 facing away from end 16, a second end 36 facing away from end '14 and anupper surface 38 between ends 34 and 36.' I

End 34 of each section 20 has a plane surface or ceiling 40 including a central recessed portion 42 in open "communication with the edge of ceiling 40 remote from end '36. End 36 of each section 20 has a plane surface or floor 44 facing in the direction opposite that faced by and substantially coplanar with ceiling 40 of the same sec tion 20, and a plane surface or wall 45 facing away from end 34 and perpendicular to and intersecting floor 44.

End 36 of each section 20 also includes an aperture '46 for receiving a fastening device such as another. screw "28for securing that section 20 to other structure such as panel 30 (Fig. '5'). One end of aperture 46 is recessed as indicated at 48, and the recessed end of each aperture '46 is in open communication with floor 44 of its section :20. Aperture 46 is also, as shown, in open communication with wall 45.

End 36 of each section 20 also has a plane surface 50 facing away from end 14 and intersecting upper surface 38 of its'section 20. Each surface 50 includes a cylindrical hole end 14 and near upper surface 38 of its section 20.

End 36 of each section 20 also includes-a pair of oppositely facing plane surfaces 54 intersecting floor 44 and parallel to the axis of hole 52 of the same section 20 and providing a projection. Aperture 46' is located between surfaces 54.

' .-End 34 of each section-20 has'a cylindrical projection 56 coaxial with hole 52 of the same section 20. Projection 56 may be and as shown is provided with longitudinal serrations.

End 34 of each section 28' also includes a pair of confronting plane surfaces 58 intersecting ceiling 40 of the same section 20 and substantially coplanar with surfaces 54 of the same section20. As shown, surfaces 58 are provided with serrations parallel to ceiling 40 of the same section 20. Recessed portion 42 is located between the planes ofsurfaces 58. i

The edges of surfaces 58 closest to end 36 are joined by a wall 57 having a central recessed portion 59 facing awayfrorn end 36 and forminga continuation of recessed portion '42.

Each section 20 alsohas additional portions or projections 60 overlapping its upper surface 38 to form therewitha longitudinal dovetail groove.

:pariallel plane surfaces 66 similar to and spaced'apart the same distance as each pair of surfaces 54. However,

,end ;24;,of section 18 has no aperture correspondingaxto' apertures 46.

52 having an open end facing away from vTo install strip 68 it is merely necessary to slide v68 into place lengthwise from end 16 of assembly 12,

One of sections 20 is assembled with section 18 with end 34 of the former confronting end 24 of the latter.

20 and hole 62 may be such that that projection-56 engages hole 62 in a press or interference fit, and the relative spacing of surfaces 66 from each other and of surfaces 58 of that section 20 from each other may be such that surfaces 66 engage surfaces 58 of that section 20 in a press or interference fit. If the press fits exist, they serve positively to hold section 18 and that section 20 together. In any event, whether or not the press fits exist, the interengagements of projection 56 of that section 20 and hole 62 and of surfaces 66 and surfaces 58 of that section serve to locate the sections in question sections is illustrated in Fig. 5 with a screw 28 (in the appropriate mounting aperture) securing its section to panel 30, thus to secure the one-circuit assembly to panel 30. The head of the screw 28 which secures section 20 of the one-circuit assembly to panel 30 is mainly in recessed end 48 of aperture 46, but extends therefrom, overlapping both floor 44 and, as shown, wall 45.

An additional section 20 may be added to the onecircuit assembly described above, simply by assembling the additional section 20 with the section 20 of the onecircuit assembly in the same manner in which the section 20 of the one-circuit assembly was previously assembled with section 18, that is, with projection 56 of the ad-. ditional section 20 in hole 52 of the secton 20 of the one-crcuit assembly, with surfaces 54 of the section 20 of the one-circuit assembly within surfaces 58 of additional 7 section 20, and with ceiling 40 of additional section 20 confronting and substantially coplanar with floor 44 of the section 20 of the one-circuit assembly and covering recessed end 48 of aperture 46.

It is noteworthy that during the assembly of additional section 20 to the previously-existing one-circuit assembly that part of the head of screw 28 of the section 20 of the one-circuit assembly which projects beyond floor 44 and wall enters recessed portions 42 and 59, which thus provide a clearance space for the screw head. This fact makes it possible to add a further section 20 to an already-in-place section 20, even if the latter has assembled therewith a mounting screw 28. I I Thus, too, that section 20 which is most remote from section 18 provides end 16 of terminal block assembly 12, and assembly 12 has a plane top surface provided by upper surface(s) 38 of section(s) 20.

' Surface 32 of section 18 is dimensioned so as to overlap one end of the top surface of assembly 12, for a purpose which will now be brought out. Where desired,

a terminal marking strip 68 can be mounted on the top surface of assembly 12. If used, strip 68 is confined lengthwise between that portion of surface32 which overlaps the top surface of assembly 12 and the head of a screw 70 the shank of which engages hole 52 of that section 20 which provides end 16 of assembly 12. More precisely, the head of screw 70 has a surface which faces end 14 of assembly 12, and strip 68 is confined between surface 32 and this last-mentioned surface. Strip 68 is trapezoidal in transverse section and is confined against the top surface of assembly 12 by projections 60. The

trapezoidal form of strip 68 conforms to the dovetail recess(es) defined by projections 60.

strip and to install screw 70 in hole 52 (which would but for strip 68 be unused) of that section 20 which provides end 16. Preferably, and as shown, screw 70 is self-tapping.

If it should be desired to add a section 20 to a previously-existing terminal block assembly including strip 68, it is first necessary merely to remove screw 70.

Each section 20 also includes a projection 72 at the end 34 thereof, projection 72 being adapted to receive and hold in a press-fit self-sustaining relationship an electric contact such as that shown at 74. Projection 72 can also be used with other types of electric contacts, all in known fashion.

Briefly, as shown, contact 74 is plate-like and has a notch (Fig. 9) which straddles and engages projection 72 and a pair of tapped holes. Fig. 8 shows contact 74 to which wires 76 are secured by screws 78 which engage the tapped holes. Provision in the form of recesses 80 is also made for accommodating the shanks of screws 78.

The invention is well adapted to the attainment of the enumerated advantages and others.

Many changes in the details of the disclosed example can'be made without departing from the invention. Accordingly those details are not to be taken as limitations upon the invention except as those details may be included in the appended claims.

- What is claimed is:

1. A terminal block assembly having first and second ends and comprising a first section of insulating material providing said first end, at least one additional section of insulating material including a second section providing said second end, each said section having a surface facing away from said first end and a hole in each said surface having an open end facing away from said first end, said holes aligned with each other, each said additional section having a projection facing said first end and engaging said hole of another of said sections, one of said projections engaging said hole of each of said sections except said second section, said assembly having a top surface, said surface of said first section overlapping an end of said top surface, a member having a shank in said hole of said second section and a surface facing away from said second end and overlapping the other end'of said top surface, and a terminal marking strip on said top surface between said surface of said first section and said surface'of said member and confined thereby.

2.,A terminal block assembly having first and second ends and comprising a first section of insulating material providing said first end, at least one additional section of insulating'material including a second section providing said second end, each said section having a surface facing away from said first end and a cylindrical hole in each said surface having an open end facing away from said first end, each said additional section having a cylindrical projection facing said first end and engaging said hole of another of said sections, one of said projections engaging said hole of each of said sections except said hole of said second section, said assembly having a top surface, said surface of said first section overlapping an end of said top surface, a screw having a shank in said hole of said second section and a head having a .section having a surface facing away from said first end and a cylindrical hole in each said surface having an open end facing away from said first end, said holes aligned with each other, each said additional section having a cylindrical projection facing said first end and engaging said hole of another of said sections, one of said projections engaging said hole of each of said sections except said hole of said second section, each said additional section having an upper surface, said upper surfaces together providing a top surface of said block, said surface of said first section overlapping an end of said top surface, a screw having a shank in said hole of providing said first end, a plurality of interchangeable additionalsections of insulating material including a second section providing said second end, each said section having a surface facing away from said first end and a cylindrical hole in each said surface having an open end facing away from saidfirst end, said holes aligned with each other, each said additional section having a cylindrical projection facing said first end and engaging said hole of another of said sections, one of said projections engaging said hole of each of said sections except said second section, each said additional section having an upper surface, a portion of each said additional section overlappingits said upper surface, said upper surfaces together providing a top surface of said block, said surface of said first section overlapping an end of said top surface, a screw having a shank in said hole of said second section and a head having a surface facing said first end and overlapping the other end of said top surface, and a terminal marking strip held against said top surface by said overlapping portions between said surface of said first section and said surface of said screw and confined thereby.

5. A terminal block assembly comprising a'first section of insulating material having first'and second ends, said first end having a ceiling having first and second coplanar portions and a central portion between and joining and recessed with respect to said coplanar portions and in open communication with the edge of said ceiling remote from said second end, said first end further having a wall facing away from said second end and intersecting said ceiling at the edge thereof adjacent said second end, said wall having first and second coplanar portions and a central portion between and joining and recessed with respect to said first and second coplanar portions of said wall, said second end having a floor facing in the direction opposite that faced by said ceiling, said coplanar portions of said ceiling and said floor substantially coplanar, said second end further having, a wall facing away from said first end and intersecting said floor at the edge thereof remote from said first end, and said second end further having an aperture for receiving a fastening device having a head for securing saidfirst section to other structure, said aperture having a recessed end in open communication with said wall of said second end and said floor, and a second section having first and second ends identical in shape and size to said first and second ends of said first section, respectively, said first end of said second section confronting said second end of said first section, the ceiling of said second section overlapping and confronting and covering said floor of said first section, the coplanar portions of the ceiling of said second section substantially coplanar with said floor of said first section and said wall of said second end of said first section confronting and substantially coplanar with the coplanar portions of the wall of said first end of said second section, the central portion of the ceiling of said second section and the central portion of the wall of said second section confronting the recess of said recessed end of said aperture of said first section to provide a clearance space for said head of said fastening device.

6. A first terminal block section of insulating material having first and second ends, said first end having a ceiling having first and second coplanar portions and a central portion between and joining and recessed with respect to said coplanar portions and in open communication with the edge of said ceiling remote from said second end, said first end further having a wall facing away from said second end and intersecting said ceiling at the edge thereof adjacent said second end, said wall having first and second coplanar portions and a central portion between and joining and recessed with respect to said first and second coplanar portions of said wall, said second end having a floor facing in the direction opposite that faced by said ceiling, said coplanar portions of said ceiling and said floor substantially coplanar, said second end further having a wall facing away from said first end and intersecting said floor at the edge thereof remote from said first end, and said second end further having an aperture for receiving a fastening device having a head for securing said first section to other structure, said aperture having a recessed end in open communication with said wall of said second end and said floor, said first section adapted for assembly with an additional section of insulating material having a first end identical in shape and dimensions to said first end of said first section and a second end identical in shape and dimensions to said second end of said first section, with the first end of said additional section confronting said second end of said first section, with the ceiling of said additional section overlapping and confronting and covering said floor of said first section, with the coplanar portions of the ceiling of said additional section substantially coplanar with said floor of said first section and said wall of said second end of said first section confronting and substantially coplanar with the coplanar portions of the wall of said first end of said additional section and with the central portion of the ceiling of said additional section and the central portion of the wall of said additional section'confronting the recess of said recessed end of said aperture of said first section to provide a clearance space for said head of said device.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,579,400 Samuels Apr. 6, 1926 2,397,102 Graham Mar. 26, 1946 2,743,373 De Smidt Apr. 24, 1956 OTHER REFERENCES Buchanan, Electronic Design, March 1955, page 80. German application Serial No. Sch. 3550 VIIId/Zlc, printed July 26, 1956 (K1. 21c 27.02). 

